Thank You Frank and You Too Teddy
To help us keep our legs from falling asleep and Otto happy, sometimes during a long drive we will stop at a state park for a hike/walk and lunch. On the way to Hardin, Montana we stopped at Lake Elmo State Park in Billings. Our respect for state parks grows after each park we visit. What incredible resources.
From there we headed to Little Big Horn Battlefield and National Monument. We learned a lot (and were warned to watch out for rattlesnakes), but the stories of how Native Americans were brutally and unfairly mistreated was embarrassing and sad. After visiting the National Monument and then driving through the Crow Agency, we better understand the importance and need for reparations.
The most stunning and meaningful part of the National Monument was the “Peace Through Unity” Indian Memorial not dedicated until 2003. The Memorial was a designed to be a tribute for the dead, but also a message for the living. It is the only memorial dedicated to the Native American experience mandated by Congress and constructed with federal funds.
Frank and Gail Perretta have served as lifelong mentors since we met them in 1974. From each separately and both together we have learned so much about how to live a good life. Frank is high energy and up for anything, but at the same time conscious and appreciative of everyone around him. Melinda always counsels me to “Be Like Frank” while I remind her that Gail is great at putting on the brakes when a plate is too full, so “Be Like Gail.” But I do my best to model myself after Frank and find places for Melinda to get coffee and make sure all RV tasks are on track. When performing above 80% I get a “Thank You Frank!”
From Hardin, Montana we made the long drive into North Dakota where on Monday the State adopted one of the strictest anti-abortion laws in the country as Republican Gov. Doug Burgum signed legislation banning the procedure throughout pregnancy, with slim exceptions up to six weeks’ gestation. Bad politics indeed, but beautiful places to visit. Along the way we stopped at the Makoshika State Park where dinosaurs roamed and we hiked to the top of BlueBird Trail.
For the next two nights we stayed at another great state park, Sully Creek State Park, where we were one of two campers camped next to the Little Missouri River and surrounded by incredible badlands landforms. Connected to Sully Creek State Park is the 144 mile Maah Dash Hey Trail (the Native American meaning is Grandfather or long lasting – which I simply call Grampsie) that passes through Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Otto and I hiked 6 miles following the trail symbol, a turtle symbolizing patience, determination, steadfastness, long-life, and fortitude. Sometime I would like to hike the whole trail.
Today we visited both the North and South Units of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We saw bison, prairie dogs, and big horn sheep. Some of the landforms, including the cannonballs protruding from walls, were fascinating. We watched a well done movie about the Park, as well as Teddy Roosevelt. Thank you Teddy for being committed to America’s natural resources. The day ended sitting in our chairs watching the sun go down.
Before me Peaceful, Behind me Peaceful, Over me Peaceful, Under me Peaceful, All around me Peaceful – Native American Prayer
4 thoughts on “Thank You Frank and You Too Teddy”
For some reason, this post is really touching. Part of it was the great portrait of you two. Gosh. Also loved hearing about Frank and Gail (How have I not met them.. seems like I’d learn a lot from them!) and also maybe it’s the reminder that even though things are not great in many places in the US, there’s still much to enjoy and learn from, and to celebrate. I, too, appreciate our state and national parks systems. They are a living example of the great forward-thinking vision and implementation of previous leaders. Thanks for all these good reminders.
T. Roosevelt, by the way, is thought by many scholars and regular folk to have been a person whose ideas about race included a definite sense of racial hierarchy. It impacted his policies and speech. We are learning as a country. It is, as you mentioned, painful. It will be hard to admit our collective misunderstanding and wrong deeds, and to move forward, but I believe it will happen. In time, many statues of past leaders may be put elsewhere, so that all people can feel safe and welcome in our parks. To acknowledge these things, as you did in your post is encouraging and helpful honesty.
such big and amazing experiences
happening every day… y’all
are doing it so right!
we have a great picture of teddy and john muir and the dedication of the parks. come see it!
I’m loving these updates. Thanks for sharing!
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